Brake mechanism



oct. 19, 1937. J. NEED 2,096,622

. BRAKE MECHANI SM original Filed' Dec'. 2, 192s -s sheets-sheet@ Y y Y0 F'l Gif gwwmtoc attozmtf v J. sNE'D BRAKE VMECHANISMV s zr ,e2

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original Filed nec. '2, 19:25

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` y n gwuentz Jol/N SA/EEO ser 1f @311i Z* v awww Oct. 19, 1937. J SNEED 2,096522 BRAKEMECHANISM original Filed Dec. 2, 1925 dof/N /VEED Y v `atoz new 3 Sheets-'Shat 3 t' eo 5 the brake actuating mechanism.

Patented Oct. 19, 1937 v,Plirlrlv lortica A' I BRAKE'MECHANISM John Sneed, GrosseV Pointe Shores, Mich., as-

signor to The Midland Steel Products Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of- Ohio,

-as trustee for Steeldraulic a corporation of Michigan Brake Corporation, t y

`r0riginal application December 1925; `Serial No.

72,670. Divided 21,1933, Serial February 6, 1928 and this Aapplication August` No. 686,106. In Great Britain 4 v.claims (ci. iss-7s) This invention relates to improvements in brake shoes or bands and this application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 72,670 led December 2, 1925.

An important object of the invention is to provide a brake shoe having portions with different degrees of flexibility and rigidity and which portions may possess different ratios to obtainvarious results. Y

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings: v v

Fig. lis a vertical sectional view through one of the brakes, with the brake shoe in normal release position. v

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the more rigid end of the shoe. v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the adjuster at one end of the shoe.

A brake drum 'I houses a full floating brake shoe 8. This shoe is preferably formed of a one piece divided annulus having a portion substantially flexible and the remaining portion of the brake shoe stift'ened by a pair of ribs I0 so as to render it substantially rigid. This shoe or band isy pref-` erably formed from stock of channel shape cross section; the more flexible part having the anges or ribs I0 preferably entirely removed therefrom by cutting away the same from a point adjacent l one end to a point where the ribs I0 begin adjacent the central portion of the band. These ribs' II) forming the rigid side of the shoe or band grad. ually increase in depth from a point adjacent the middle of the band to one free end as illustrated in Fig. -l. The relative extents of the flexible and rigid portions of the band may be varied as desired, but preferably the rigid portion does not exceed one-half of the circumference of the brake shoe. 'Ihe purpose of the flexible portion is to enable the gradual applicationof the brake shoe to the brake drum with increasing force, the movement of the brake actuatingy mechanism first forcing the adjacent extremity of the exiblev portion against the brake drum, and then ythe turning movement of the brake drum is utilized to multiply the gripping action of the `flexible portion of the brake shoe and transmit this increased power to the extremity of the rigid por- 1 tion of the brake shoe opposite that engaged by The result is that when the brakes are first set `only a relatively small portionk of the brake surface is thrown into contact with the brake drum, and such braking surface is gradually increased by the rotation of the brake drum until the entire rigid` portion of -the brake shoe is moved substantially as a unit into engagement with the brake drum. By varying the relative extents of the flexible and rigid portions of the'brake shoe, different graduations of the pressure applications can be secured.y A pin II extends radially inward from the. brake shoe at substantially yits lowermost portion, and a leaf spring I2 has one kextremity encircling the radial pin II and its opposite extremity secured tothe face plate I3 substantially covering the brake mechanism at the open side of the brake drum 1, so that the leaf spring may cushion and limit the movement of the brake shoe relatively to the brake drum. Such a brake shoe, aswell as one form of brake' actuating rmechanism for operating same has beenV described in my companion application,

illustrated herein to exemplify the best use now known for Ythe brake actuating mechanism form`` ing` the claimed disclosure herein. Eachy brakeshoe 8 is adaptd to be extended outwardly into engagement with. the brake drum "Ig upon the movement toward straightline vposition of a pair of toggle levers I4 arranged' with their free extremities engaging the respective ends of the brake shoes and their other extremities pivotecl to each other and to the yoke I5 by means of the pivot pin I6. .As herein shown one toggle'lever I4 is formed with a'substantially spherical shaped 'head I 4EL on its freeextremity .seating in a cup the opposite extremities of, ythe brake vshoe so as' 'to exert pressure thereagainstregardless of the relative positions ofthetoggle levers, the spherical head I4 and theslotted bifurcations I4- pivoting upon the fulcrum seat I1 and fulcrum" pin wI9 respectively during the movements of the toggle levers. The yoke I5 may also be provided with a spherical head 20 adapted to seatv within a cup 2I` carried by the piston 22, which piston is fitted within' the cylinder 23 so as to slide within theslotsil.

`ses

face plate I3 and is secured in a bracket 24 riveted .I upon the face plate, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the inner extremity oi the cylinder projecting inwardly of the bracket 24 and being threaded to receive the cylinder head 25. The cylinder head may be threaded upon the cylinder for a sumcient distance to compress a suitable packing 25 and may be then rmly locked in position by the set screw 21 extending through an ear on the piston head and threading into the bracket 24: The longer axis oi the cylinder 23 extends at .right angles to the direction oimovement oi' the free ends of the brake shoe and also at right angles to the toggle levers utilized to transmit power from the piston 22 to the brake shoe, the outer extremity oi the cylinder projecting across the brake drum between the free portion ot the brake shoe and carrying at its outer extremity a brake shoe limiting member 28. As best shown in Fig. 2 the hunting member 28 is secured, as by the set screw 29, to a cross bar 35 arranged within'a pair oi elongated slots 3l in the outer portion oi' the cylinder. The toggle levers I4 are adapted to-ex-A tend through the slots 3|, substantially as shown, while the extremities of the brake shoe normally engage the cylinder adjacent the, extremities of As can best be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the set screw 25 also acts as a limiting member, serving to control the extent of travel "oi the t0!- gle leversV I4 regardless of the pressure applied thereto, thereby preventing accidental movement oi' the toggle levers beyond a straight line position.

Means may be provided `ior1 permitting the adjustment of the effective length of the brake shoe. In the illustrated embodiment I have shown a simple and effective means of adjusting the position of the seat I1 upon the brake shoe I, andaccordingly, adjusting the initial position of the brakeshoe relatively to the brake' drum 1. I'hecup-shaped seat I1 is formed with a curved shank I1* (note Fig.,5) having its rear'extremity beveled, as at |15, for engagement with the wedge 32 arranged with its inclined face in engagement with the beveled portion I1b'and its opposite extremity contacting the web`33 connecting the rear, extremities of the spaced lugs 34 extending ra-k dially inward from the brake shoe. A Pair of aligned slots 35 are arranged inthe lugs 34 for vthe passage of the wedge 32 and an adjusting permit the passage o! a bolt 39 extending through the lugs 34 adjacent their upper extremities and serving to brace the lugs 34 ywhile permitting longitudinal movement of thefcup-shaped seat.` When the adjusting screwu35 is turned in 'the proper direction, the wedge 32 will be drawn laterally across the web 33, and in so doing will tend to slide the shank I1 and seat I1 towardthe anchor pin 2 3, but sincethe seat I1 firmly contacts the anchor pin soV as toresist movement in this direction the resultant. action will'be the v movement of the web 33 and the brake shoe outwardly toward the brake drum 1, thereby adjusting the initial position of the brake shoe relativelyto the brake drum against the tension oi the coil spring 40 arranged between one of 'the webs 34 and a lug 4I iixed upon the face plate I3, substantially as shown in Fig. 1. Or course when the adjusting nut 35 is turnedin the opposite direction the extremity o1' the brake shoe I will be moved inwardly away from the brake drum through the medium of the coil spring 45, which takes up any. space between the inclined surface oi' the wed`ge32 and the beveled face I1h of the f shank. A coil spring 42 is also preferably arranged between the lug 4I and a lug 43 carried by thel opposite extremity of the brake shoe to normally maintain -Ithat extremity oi the brake shoe incontact vwiththe anchor pin 23.

'I'he lpiston 22 is adapted to be reciprocated within the cylinder 23k by fthe force exerted through the hydraulicractuating mechanismk or the power ot the springs 4l and 42 respectively.

Thus, when avliquid under pressure is forced into the inner extremity of the cylinder 23, the piston is moved outwardly, and in such movement forces apart the extremitiesof the'brake shoe against the tension ofthespringsj and 42. Then .when the pressure on the liquid is releasedI these springspull the extremities oi the brake shoe back to their original positions, and in so doing force the toggle levers. I4 to slide the piston 22 inwardly -to expel the liquid then within the 'cylinder 23. Any suitable means may be employed for transmitting the' hydraulic pressure to the several cylinders 23.r fAnumber oi' operative constructions are on the market for forcing liquid under pressure from a central reservoir tothe brakes of the several wheels o! an automobile, and, since my invention does not reside in this portion of the brake actuating mechanism, no attempt has been made to illustrate any particular means oi producing the knecessary vhydraulic power.

' As shown in Fig. 3, the ends of the ribs 'III at the free end of the band are cutintoarcuate bearing surfaces I5* to anchor against the cylinder wall as illustrated in Fig. 2.,' The end oi' the seat I1 is also ilnished to` anchor against the cylinder wall as shown in 111g. 4. e l

The interior of each cylinder 23 maybe ma? chined -to co-operate with itspistonv 22, and a packing cup 22' iixed upon the head'ot the piston to prevent the leakage past the piston of actuating iluid within'the cylinder. Or `I may provide a separate lining 41 oi'v suitable wear and corrosion resisting material, and arrange such, lining within the inner. portion of thefcylinders 23 substantially `,as shown in Fig.,2. The inner wall oi the liner lshould be machined tosnugly receive its piston 22 and a similar packing cup 22,or rubber or other suitable material should so ilt within the liner as to prevent leakage of theKY hydraulic viiluid past the'piston. It will beA ap-k parent `that this construction is well adaptedV tocontinufed operation of the brakes and economic assembly V- and servicing.,u Thus i!A the liner 41 should become scored or otherwise incapacitated for further service, orfshould the packing cup 22v or other .portion oi the piston becomef-incapaci tated, it. is possible, with my construction to quickly remove the detective portions and substitute newones without requiring theremoval of the wheel from the vehicle. By removing the cylinder `head 25 from the inner "extremity o! f the cylinder 23, access may be had to the interior of the cylinder, and the liner I1 or the packing cup 22* may be readily withdrawn and another substituted from the inner side of the brake.

It is also easy to service the remaining portions of my brake mechanism from the outer side of the brake. When the wheel and drum are removed access is given to the adjusting bolt and such other parts oi' the apparatus as are liable to wear.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the piston and toggle lever is such that the properextremity of the brake shoe will be forced into engagement with the brake drum regardless oi' the direction of rotation of the brak drum. The thrust imparted to the toggle levers will be transmitted in greater degree to that extremity of the brake shoe that is free to move with the brake drum, since the' toggle levers will tulcrum on either the seat I1 or the Iulcrum pin I9 when one extremity of the brake shoe is offering resistance to a greater degree than the other extremity of the brake shoe and further thrust imparted by the piston will be taken up entirely by the extremity of the brake shoe then free to move.

Moreover, I preferably arrange the cross bar I l. carrying the iulcrum pin I9 so that it may pivot within the sides of the brake band 8. with the result that a universal joint eiect is secured at this extremity of the brake shoe, the cross bar I9n rotating to accommodate movements in a vertical direction whilethe adjacent toggle lever may turn upon the. fulcrum pin I9 to accommo date movements in a horizontal direction. The `ball and socket arrangement in the opposite extremity of the brake sh will, of course, also provide for universal movement.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment oi' my invention herein disclosed-is `well calculated to adequately fuliill the objects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the linvention is susceptible to a variation, modication and change within the spirit and scope oi' the subjolned claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a brake'shoe formed in U-shaped channel sectionat one end thereof,

means for forcing the shoe away from said anchor, a pin rotatably mounted in laterally aligned openings in the sides of the U-shaped section and near the end o1' the shoe, said pin and said means being connectedin pivotal relationship about an axis transverse to the axis of the pin whereby a luniversal. movement is eil'ected between said means and the shoe.

2. 'I'he combination of a brake shoe partly channeled in cross section and anchorableV at either end and being ci' progressively increasing ilexibility from substantially one end through approximately 180, anchoring means, of the channel section being engageable with said anchoring means and a member adiustablysecured to the other end of the brake shoe and engageabie with saidy anchoring means, and means for changing the circumferential relation of said last named member with the shoe.

3. A iloating brake sh having a channel section at onef'end and extending as a generally cylindrical lining supporting part to the other end, a pair of inwardly flanged members secured to the last mentioned end o1' the shoe and spaced from each other laterally of the shoe,v and the ilanges` an anchor engaging member adjustably secured between said flanged members.

4. A brake shoe being channeled in cross' section at one end, the ends of the flanges of thek channels being formed to provide anchor bearing surfaces for that end of the shoe. the remainder of the shoe comprising a hoop like pclrtion formed in a unit and means engageable with an anchor adjustabl'y secured tothe free lend oi' the said hoop-like portion of the sh.

JOHN sNImn.

with the channel portion,- 

